Mardi Gras 2014 Northshore Parade Schedule

Mardi Gras 2014 Northshore Parade Schedule

Louisiana's Northshore, St. Tammany Parish, is home to dozens of Mardi Gras parades, balls and related events. From raucous big truck parades to old New Orleans' traditional handcrafted floats, the Northshore's parades are family-friendly fun.

Following is the St. Tammany Parish parade schedule for 2014.*

Saturday, January 11th St. John Fools of Misrule, Covington – 7pm www.foolsofmisrule.comWitnessing the absence of proper Twelfth Night merrymaking on the Northshore, this marching club was formed in 2011 to announce the arrival of the Carnival season to St. Tammany Parish. The organization's rituals are derived from an ancient English men's group that clamored along the evening streets creating unruliness with cowbells and whips while delivering jeers and spankings to those caught on the street unaware. The Fools of Misrule integrated into its name homage to the historic St. John District of old Covington (1813) where the group was founded and annually conducts its bawdy procession. Their slogan: Vivere Vitam Omnino! – Live Life Completely!

Sunday, February 9th Krewe of Slidellians, Slidell – 1pm www.slidellwomenscivicclub.orgFounded in 1947, the Slidell Women's Civic Club was formed to foster service to a then small community with the promise of growing to a larger town in eastern St. Tammany Parish. The Krewe of Slidellians kicks off the Mardi Gras season in Slidell. Parades along Pontchartrain Dr. from Spartan Dr. to Hwy. 11, then along Front St. to Gause Blvd. and ending at Lindberg Dr.

Saturday, February 15th Krewe of Bilge, Slidell – 12pm www.kreweofbilge.comFounded in 1978 by a few local residents who costumed and decorated their boats to parade along the canals of the Eden Isles subdivision, the krewe now boasts over 400 members. This year’s theme: “The Wonderful World of Disney.” Starts at Marina Café on Harbor Dr. and The Dock of Slidell, and travels north along the Marina Dr. side of the canal to the East Eden Isles Blvd. bridge where it reverses course and travels north along Moonraker, back south again along Pontchartrain Dr., passing The Landing, Tooloula’s and Michael’s Restaurant, and finally ending at The Dock of Slidell. Krewe of Mona Lisa & Moon Pie, Slidell – 7pm www.monalisaandmoonpie.comThe 200-member walking group with the signature Moonpie throw features elaborately costumed marchers, dancing clubs and brass bands, plus an eclectic mix of grocery carts, bicycles, and rickshaws. This year’s theme: “Dance, Mona, Dance.” The Red Bean Ball follows the parade. Starts and ends on Carey St. and marches through Olde Towne along Cleveland, Second, Erlanger and First.

Sunday, February 16th Mystick Krewe of Perseus, Slidell – 1pm Founded in 1970, the Krewe of Perseus is named for the Greek hero of legend who slew Medusa. Perseus hosts a ball and a thirteen-float parade, with nine double-decker floats. Each float rider constructs his or her own costume. The Krewe is made up of 170 members, whose throws include their famous hand-decorated plastic crabs, crab beads, slap bracelets, and cups.

Krewe of Pearl River Lions Club, Pearl River – 1pm The popular day parade in Pearl River begins at Pearl River High School and continues south on Highway 41, turning left at the light onto Hwy. 3081 and ending at the Pearl River Town Hall on Willis Alley.

Friday, February 21st Krewe of Eve, Mandeville – 7pm www.kreweofeve.comFounded in 1986, the ladies’ annual night parade is known for its beautifully decorated floats, members with elaborately decorated sweatshirts, and annual competition of local and out-of-state marching bands. Starts near the junction of Hwy 22 and US 190 and follows W. Causeway Appr. above Monroe St., crosses 190 and ends on E. Causeway Appr.

Saturday, February 22nd Krewe de Paws, Slidell – 10am www.krewedepawsofoldetowne.comSlidell’s Krewe for Canines donates any proceeds to its Olde Towne parade to various local animal-loving non-profit organizations.

Krewe of Push Mow, Abita Springs – 11am www.pushmow.comDozens of humorously themed homemade floats, many based on lawn equipment, take part in this rousing cruise through the heart of town. This year’s theme: “Reality Shows in the Future.” Starts at Abita Town Hall, following Level St. to Magnolia, Main St., Leveson and back to Town Hall for a party immediately afterward.

Krewe of Olympia, Covington – 6pm www.kreweofolympia.netFounded in 1965, this 200-member Krewe is the oldest in St. Tammany. Keeping the identity of King Zeus a secret until the parade, members ride on floats, trucks and horses interspersed with marching bands from across the Northshore. Starts in front of St. Tammany Parish Justice Center on Columbia St. and follows a route along Hwy 21/Boston St. to Jefferson, 15th, Tyler, W. 23rd and back through downtown again.

Mystic Krewe of Titans, Slidell – 6:30pm www.kreweoftitans.comThis men’s nighttime parade is comprised of over 110 members. In mythology, the Titans were the children of Earth and Heaven and pre-dated later deities such as Zeus. Follows same route as Slidellians.

Sunday, February 23rd Krewe of Dionysus, Slidell – 1pm www.dionysusofslidell.comThe krewe's 250+ members celebrate Dionysus, also known as Bacchus, the god of wine, with the motto “A drinking Krewe with a Mardi Gras problem parading through the streets of Slidell since 1985.” This year's theme is "Boyhood Memories" and members will ride on 18 floats.

Krewe of Tchefuncte, Madisonville – 2pm The colorful boats-only floating parade founded in 1973 cruises the Tchefuncte River, starting at Salty’s Marina, then heads downriver and turns around to dock on both the north and south sides of the Hwy 22 bridge. King Neptune’s Marching Society precedes the boat parade by marching down Water Street to the reviewing stand. This year’s theme: “Celebrating Louisiana’s Legends.”

Friday, February 28th Krewe of Selene, Slidell – 6:30pm www.kreweofselene.netFounded in 1998, this 400-member krewe is named for the ancient Greek godess of the moon, Selene, lover of Endymion, the god of eternal youth and fertility. Lighted wands are a signature throw. Follows the same route as Slidellians.

**Tuesday, March 4th – MARDI GRAS DAY**

Krewe of Lyra, Covington – 10am www.kreweoflyra.comThe Lyra Stargazing Society moves from Mandeville to Covington this year and welcomes men in its lineup with the theme, “Fire and Reign.” The Krewe’s official call “Long Live Lyra” is answered with the response “La La La Lyra!”

Krewe of Covington Lions Club, Covington – follows Lyra The Covington Lions Club has brought the celebration of Mardi Gras to downtown Covington since 1959. Follows the same route as the Krewe of Olympia. Mystic Krewe of Covington, Covington – follows Krewe of Covington Founded in 1951 by the Knights of Columbus, this krewe was once called the “Krewe of KaaCee.”

Krewe of Chahta-Ima, Lacombe – 1pm Named to honor Chahta-Ima High School, which many of the founding members attended, is comprised of floats, cars, marching units and horse groups. Starts at the Morocco Room and follows US 190 north to 17th Street, Fish Hatchery Rd., and ends at Lacombe Nursing Home.

Krewe of Folsom, Folsom – 2pm This eclectic krewe invites the public to participate in its parade. Entry fees, ranging from $15 to $35, are collected based on the type of vehicle used in the parade. Register at www.villageoffolsom.com or call Town Hall at (985)796-5607. Starts on Hwy. 40 near Olive St. and follows to Cleveland, along Hwy. 25 to Jackson St. and back to Hwy. 40.

Krewe of Bush, Bush – 9am Fun parade popular with local kids.

Sunday, March 9th Mystic Krewe of Mardi Paws, Mandeville www.mardipaws.comDogs sashay in costume along the Mandeville lakefront in this fun parade that raises funds for area animal agencies. This year’s theme: “Live from the Red Carpet.”

*Schedule subject to change. Additional parades may be announced for other krewes.

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